DeMarco Murray-RB-Eagles: When Murray was behind the league’s top offensive line in Dallas last season, he ran wild! Not the case this time around in Philadelphia. Besides there being a much less talented O-Line in Philly, Murray will be fighting for carries with Darren Sproles and Ryan Matthews; a whole different sort of level of competition than he had with the Cowboys. Draft with care.

A completely different look for DeMarco Murray in green but his value could take a hit now that he is removed from the Cowboy’s superb O-Line. Photo: Twitter.com

Julius Thomas-Tight End-Jaguars: Besides the fact that Thomas has yet to play more than 14 games in a season, he didn’t even net 500 yards in 13 appearances last season! And that’s with Peyton Manning heaving the rock! Thomas will be more a Marcedes Lewis-like TE ( in terms of fantasy points) in Jacksonville with Blake Bortles under center. Just don’t expect the Thomas of old.

Nick Foles-QB-Rams: The only way we can describe the receiving talent in St. Louis in one word would be “average”. The oft-injured Foles, will be under the leadership of a Jeff Fisher team which has a propensity to just pound the rock. Couldn’t get more opposite going from a Chip Kelly machine gun- like offense to the aforementioned Jeff Fisher, which will not help Foles’ cause one bit.

Coby Fleener-Tight End-Colts: We can feel the eyes rolling a bit with this prospective bust pick but, come on, Andrew Luck already had a Quarterback’s dream receiving corps and that was BEFORE this year’s acquisitions of Andre Johnson and Phillip Dorsett. Just not going to be enough opportunities for Fleener with the multi-options at Luck’s disposal. A much better pick at TE would be Vernon Davis who is just two-years removed from a 13 TD season, and who has been going unbelievably late in drafts.

Peyton Manning-QB-Broncos: Is it sacrilege to even ‘suggest’ that Peyton will be a bust? Perhaps. After all he is a legend in the NFL, however here is what we’re looking at: Last December, Manning threw for just 3 touchdowns while serving up 6 interceptions. Couple that with the loss of LT Ryan Clady who is out for the year and Manning’s age (40) and well, we think you need to be careful and not overpay for a name as sexy as Peytons…

#18 Peyton Manning…are his best years behind him following his worst career December last season? The Furnace thinks fantasy owners should not overpay for this NFL super-star. Photo: USA TODAY

How important are they? Well, let’s put it this way. Sleepers can give fantasy owners that “edge” that could make the difference between them having a winning season or a mediocre one. If you can pick up several potentially successful sleepers during your draft, that’s just less talent for your opponents to snatch off of waivers once the season is under way. We have listed, in no particular order, some of our favorite sleepers that we are targeting for the upcoming season. Plus we’ll tell you why they made our list and what you might expect from them.

RBCAMERON ARTIS-PAYNE-Carolina Panthers

We have two reasons why we have selected Artis-Payne as one of our sleepers this season. First, starter Jonathan Stewart just doesn’t stay on the grid iron long enough; he’s played only 28 games in the past three seasons. And second, there isn’t any real competition for the backup role in Carolina. Still not convinced? Artis-Payne carried the rock 303 times for Auburn last season.

The Furnace says that Cameron Artis-Payne is more than capable of carrying a heavy load if Jonathan Stewart should end up riding the pine Photo: USA Today

RB DAVID COBB-Tennessee Titans

Starter Bishop Sankey was underwhelming at best in his rookie season last year so it is possible that David Cobb could split time with Sankey and, should Sankey’s woes continue, actually take over the starting job completely. The Titans have a rookie quarterback so they will rely heavily on the running game. Cobb was a three-down back with Minnesota and averaged 22.5 touches in his last two seasons there. Cobb’s biggest asset is that he gains over half of all his yards (54%) after contact.

WR DE’ANTHONY THOMAS-Kansas City Chiefs

A converted running back, Thomas has blazing speed out of the backfield and can break one at any time. With his speed, he can create mismatches and can line up anywhere on the field, however he will be the most dangerous lining up in the slot. QB Alex Smith will now have two good options for short passes in TE Travis Kelce -led the team in receptions (67) & receiving yds. (862) and Thomas.

RB turned WR in his second year in the NFL, De’Anthony Thomas brings the threat of blowing past DB’s & could be a serviceable draft & stash candidate. Photo: KansasCity.com

WR-JOHN BROWN-Arizona Cardinals

As a rookie, Brown had just under 700 receiving yards and was second on the team in receptions (48). He has bulked up in the off-season to insure he doesn’t fade in the latter part of the year. Brown’s got incredible speed, good hands, and runs routes well. Veteran QB Carson Palmer said he expects great things from Brown and we agree. You will be able to grab him late in your drafts as he has a high ADP, at least for now. We do not think he’ll disappoint.

TE-VIRGIL GREEN-Denver Broncos

Green is in the perfect spot for a sleeper role, as starter Owen Daniels isn’t getting any younger (33) and has had multiple knee injuries over the past few seasons which has impacted his speed greatly. At 6′ 5″, 255 pounds, Green has the height and athleticism to become one of Peyton’s favorite targets and as everyone knows, Manning loves to throw to his TEs. Now with Julius Thomas and Jacob Tamme gone, this becomes Green’s golden opportunity to prove his worth. We would even consider drafting him over Daniels, that’s how high we are on him.

#85 TE Virgil Green scores his first touchdown in the NFL. The Furnace is very high on this up and coming talented TE who should be a constant target of Peyton Manning this season. Photo: Getty Images

That’s how the legions of Seahawks fans became seconds after the ball left Russell Wilson’s hands with the game on the line last Sunday; speechless in Seattle!

It was the same on the field as well only it was Pete Carroll and OC Darrell Bevell who were left stunned, not Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan…

By now all the excuses, interviews, and yes, even conspiracy theories have been bandied about the media but even with what the press has reported, Seattle fans, those who bet on the game, and even all fans of the game of football (Patriots excluded), are still speechless. Yes, conspiracy theories!!

Did you hear the one about Pete Carroll not wanting to let Marshawn Lynch run the ball in and get all the accolades in addition to an MVP award because of his tenuos relationship with the media so he tried to give all the attention and possible glory on Russell Wilson instead? Yep! Can’t make this up!

Bottom line is this. If Bevell, who ultimately called the passing play, did indeed choose to ‘save a timeout’ by having Wilson throw a pass, then why not throw it away from traffic and not into it; somewhere down either sideline? As fleet of foot as Wilson is, why not have him roll out and if no one is open then either throw it away so the clock stops, or try running the rock in himself?

I know, sounds like a whole heap of Tuesday morning quarterbacking, but at least some good has come out of all the controversy. You see while all the talk has been about “the Call” over the past several days, less talk is taking place over deflate-a-gate, putting New England in a win-win situation. Game-Set-Match Deflateriots! Which, by the way, doesn’t help all those in Seattle who are still speechless…

For this and all Seahawks fans, there’s not much more to say…Photo: AP

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